Many of you who interact here on a daily basis have had the opportunity to meet each other, or me, over the last few seasons. But many have not, which is why Comcast SportsNet is organizing the first-ever official Nats Insider Party.

The event will take place on Thursday, June 14, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Penn Quarter Sports Tavern in the District. The Nats are off that night, so we’ll have plenty of time to discuss the state of the team and how things are shaping up for the rest of the season.

Admission is free, there will be drink specials and there are rumors of door prizes as well. So please join me and CSN’s Kelli Johnson on the 14th at Penn Quarter.

Wow! I'd really like to make this if I can! There are lots of nice insightful folks I'd like to meet. Mark, are you planning on hiring extra security in case the unfortunate on-line spats translate into something worse?

Damn – Bonnie Raitt will win out over you and Kelli but this is a great idea. Hopefully it will be a super turnout and you will do a second party. Michelle, you will have to toast your Whooo Hooo at this!go Nats!

MicheleS said…Are we going to have a Baby Z sighting? I mean he should meet his fans.There are some people who bring one year olds to bars, but Mr. and Mrs. Z don't seem like the type that would allow that

Mark – I will post here after just reading the previous article and comments. Thanks for all you do and the professional way you handle this blog. I have pretty much stopped commenting here but do read with great interest and am continually learning about our team and baseball through the Insider.Michelle – I am back! and will be there Saturday at "you know where"Mr. Doggett – I coached in a small town in WVa and took my 5 year old into one of the bars one day after practice. The next day at show and tell he proudly let his teacher and class know that he was able to sit ON the bar at CV News and listen to Willie Nelson. Teacher called and was not real happy, I am guessing she is not a Willie Nelson fan.Go Nats!!

Mark, are you planning on hiring extra security in case the unfortunate on-line spats translate into something worse?Granted, some people will have to wear a name tag that says, "anonymous."I'll THRUM you.

Mr. Doggett – I coached in a small town in WVa and took my 5 year old into one of the bars one day after practice. The next day at show and tell he proudly let his teacher and class know that he was able to sit ON the bar at CV News and listen to Willie Nelson. Teacher called and was not real happy, I am guessing she is not a Willie Nelson fan.Go Nats!!May 31, 2012 7:08 PMAs a middle school teacher myself, I can assure you that kids have NO filter when it comes to revealing potentially embarrassing details…but now that I'm a parent, I always give the parents a pass

MicheleS said…Mr Doggett, but Baby Z isn't old enough to talk, so I don't think he would spill any state secrets… (like how to be a left handed pitcher or future CF)May 31, 2012 7:46 PMYou're exactly right. Before they can understand that things are things, you can take them anywhere. As long as you don't mind a couple sideways glances from judgey people.

I will see if I can get Big Cat out to drive (as I have trouble driving at night). My eye sight not much better than Espi when the ball is low and towared the dirt.Would great to get a guest player (of course it coukdn't be Harper he is too youg to get in..School for my students will be out so I am going to try and make it.

I wish I could make it! But, alas and alack I will be in the midst of rehearsals for the 12th season of the outdoor drama "Tom Dooley: A Wilkes County Legend". Maybe we can have a meet and greet later this season?Or maybe yall can come and see the show?! -sorry for the shameful plug- *smiles*

Anyone else finding this to be a long, slow evening? Seems like there are two choices – Nats baseball with it's ups and downs or — nothing. Sounds like Mike Morse made a long throw tonight that looked normal – I guess if it doesn't hurt in the morning, we may see him soon.

Candide – not sure you read my earlier post but thanks for the warning about spotty internet in Eastern Europe – It wasn't spotty, it was almost non-existent until we got to Bratislava.Really am hoping that there is a 2nd Nats Insider get together, so all these invisible people can become real. So far I know there is a Michelle S and DC Wonk (along with daughter waving in the distance).Listening to Davey, it sounds like Morse will play tomorrow and I am also hoping Flores is back and that LaRoche & Zimm are rested and ready to go. Zimm is getting a lot of negative press here and I am a little surprised. I thought this was a first place team with exciting young players and yet if you just read comments its like we are in last place with no hope. Maybe I just take the negative stuff a little harder then the good stuff.Who will be next off the DL? I am guessing Lidge with Perry hitting AAA. Like Werth helps our youngsters in the dugout, I think Lidge does the same thing out in the bullpen and would hope HRod gains from his return in several ways.

baseballswami said…Anyone else finding this to be a long, slow evening? Seems like there are two choices – Nats baseball with it's ups and downs or — nothing.I've been reduced to talking with Cunegonde.But she's actually begun initiating baseball conversation. She asked me if I'd read Jason Reid's column in today's WaPo about Davey.Finally, after 11 years of marriage – we have something to talk about.

sjm – I found the only half-decent internet connection on the boat (we sailed the Danube from Nuremberg to Budapest) was the ship's single computer in the lobby. And even that one was spotty at best. Couldn't do much more than read a few emails. I found that the best way to send email was to write a message in Notepad, then copy/paste it into Comcast's web email client and hit "send" and pray it got out before the connection crapped out again.Maybe that's God's way of telling you to stop worrying about your email, because Vienna is out there.

Odds on Peric showing up … 20-1. Odds on Peric identifying himself … 100-1. Look for the guy in the corner w/ the Randy Johnson wig and fake mustache.Hmmm, more than likely I'd be the one with the big muscles. ~evil grin~

and he said there's no such prohibition.It gets frustrating for players … watching, not being able to play, contribute, wondering about their futures. Werth has a lot of braggadocio but he can no longer back it up at the plate. Sometimes it turns to resentment … Every day they lean more and more on Harper ;.. which is why I was hoping Corey Brown could break out and start raking as in AAA Syracuse. Takes some of the onus off of Harper. Zim's shoulder unfortunately precludes it. Morse might be able to do it and wants to … that is his and every Nats fan's hope.

I wonder if the Nats would claim Todd Coffey if he came to them on waivers? He is in worse shape than he was when he was with the Nats. Looks like he gained significant weight … and he just allowed a 2 run homer in a mop up role with the Dodgers taking a 4-1 game to 6 -1. I wouldn't do it if I were the Nat's FO but …

Anyone see the interesting piece on Harper this morning over on BP? For those that don't subscribe, 2 interesting points: Harper sees a few percentage of fastballs than any other ML hitter. The author also brokedown his hitting stats against types of pitch from his call-up to mid-May, and then from Mid-May on. For the first period he had zero hits on breaking balls. Since then he has been crushing them, and in general taking a lot more pitches. Seems to be a fast learner.

Let me say this about Jayson going on the 60-day DL.(1) The option to transfer him from the 15-day DL to the 60-DL and open up a roster spot is only available if the 40-man roster is full. (2) You can't trade or DFA a person on the DL. So you are paying him, he is a member of the team (even if not a member of the roster).(3) He is allowed to be in the dugout, as per rule 3.17 (quoted here in full).3.17 Players and substitutes of both teams shall confine themselves to their team’s benches unless actually participating in the play or preparing to enter the game, or coaching at first or third base. No one except players, substitutes, managers, coaches, trainers and bat boys shall occupy a bench during a game. PENALTY: For violation the umpire may, after warning, remove the offender from the field. Rule 3.17 Comment: Players on the disabled list are permitted to participate in pre-game activity and sit on the bench during a game but may not take part in any activity during the game such as warming up a pitcher, bench-jockeying, etc. Disabled players are not allowed to enter the playing surface at any time or for any purpose during the game.

Slim! There are so many stories about The Man, The Legend. Many stories involve copious amounts of illegal substances, but I've heard lots of interesting ones (One I knnow was a sighting of him sleeping on a grate near DAR, and going straight from there to a photography class at the Corcoran.)For a guy with a vocal range of half a note, he sure had great bands (Deannna Bogart, Ron Holloway are alums).He and Chuck Brown are probably boogie-ing somewhere.I hope to make it to the Sports Bar. Thanks Mark!

NJ, yes. Someone mentioned seeing Ramooose in the dugout and he's on the 60-man. According to the MLB injury report (see below), Wilson's surgery is scheduled for today (June 1). If you are the praying type–SAY ONE! Or more… Thirteen on the DL, count 'em, thirteen. Let's start getting them off!Injury reporthttp://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/fantasy/injuries/#team120